Gas prices climb sharply

The average price for a gallon of unleaded gas was $3.57 Friday on the Kansas side of the metropolitan area, according to the latest data from AAA. That was up from $3.36 a week ago. On the Missouri side, the average price was $3.49 on Friday, up from $3.27 last week, AAA said.

Gasoline prices have climbed at least 20 cents a gallon this week in the Kansas City area, further evidence that rising oil prices and seasonal supply issues are hitting home at the pump.

The average price for a gallon of unleaded gas was $3.57 Friday on the Kansas side of the metropolitan area, according to the latest data from AAA. That was up from $3.36 a week ago.

On the Missouri side, the average price was $3.49 on Friday, up from $3.27 last week, AAA said. Fuel taxes contribute to the wide range in area gas prices.

Prices in the Kansas City area were also up sharply from year-ago levels.

Nationally, the average price for a gallon of unleaded was $3.52 on Friday, AAA said.

Motorists had felt some welcome relief at the pump for several months, but retail prices began rising recently in tandem with higher crude oil prices. In addition, many refineries have been converting operations to deliver summer-blend gasoline.